For years now, young players all over the world have followed the soccer cleat choices of the stars. There’s not a playground in the world where you won’t see kids twisting and turning in a pair of Nikes or Adidas, recreating the tricks of CR7, Lionel Messi, Neymar, or Mo Salah. For many of them, it’s the cleats that make the player, and if they buy the same cleats, they too will become a worldwide phenomenon. They’re not wrong, either. The best soccer cleats of today have been designed with enhancing your game tenfold like never before. They don’t just provide traction anymore, but also stability, support, speed, and performance. If you’re looking to transform your game, then look no further at our picks for the most effective legend-makers on the market. It’s time to get stuck in.

The Best Soccer Cleat

1

NIKE Mercurial Victory VI FG Soccer Cleats

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Our best choice of soccer cleats is the NIKE Mercurial VI, which is a firm-ground soccer cleat that’s designed to provide excellent performance on artificial turf with a soft, synthetic leather that ensures durability and an enhanced touch that’s the hallmark of any future-great in the beautiful game. This is further made possible with the contoured sock liner and compression fit, which gives the wearer (you!) comfort for the whole ninety-minutes, and even into overtime.

With these cleats, players both new and old will have excellent control and traction over most surfaces they encounter during the season, which is guaranteed with the chevron stud pattern. Unlike cleat designs of the past, this is lightweight and will feel like you’re running on a cloud as you slide, twist, turn, and dip past the opponents and into the penalty box.

NIKE are world famous for their branding and their connection to some of the world’s biggest soccer stars, but when you actually check out their products, you see they’re top quality, too. If you love the brand, check out our selection of the best Nike sneakers on the market today.

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Key Features:

Soft, synthetic leather for durability and enhanced touch

Contoured sock liner

Lightweight plate chevron stud pattern

Compression fit

Specification:

BrandNIKE

Model831964-870

Weight3 pounds

2

Adidas Performance Goletto VI FG Soccer Cleats

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The Gear Hungry pick for the best value soccer cleats is the Adidas Performance Goletto VI, a soccer shoes that’s ideal for firm-ground environments, making it ideal for synthetic turf as well as summer games on real grass, just like God intended us to play on. Its lightweight leather offers durability, while the snug fit gives you increased control over the ball and your movement.

This snug fit also provides you with the comfort required to last from the first to final whistle without succumbing to the ravages of blisters which can massively impact your game and could be the difference between being a last-minute hero and last-minute zero. The cleats themselves are molded into the sole, with adds greater traction on the hard ground, meaning you can channel your inner Messi with ease as you skip past the opposition and (hopefully) chip a cheeky goal gently into the back of the net.

Sometimes, soccer cleats border on the extortionate, but the Adidas Performance provides you excellent quality at an unbeatable price. All Adidas shoes are known for that.

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Key Features:

Lightweight synthetic leather for durability

Maximum traction on grass

All-game comfort

Snug fit

Specification:

BrandAdidas

ModelGoletto VI FG-M

Weight1.75 pounds

3

NIKE Hypervenom Phelon 3 DF FG Soccer Cleats

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The battle keeps raging on between NIKE and Adidas but right now we’re focusing on the NIKE Hypervenom Phelon 3 is a dynamic fit pair that is sure to make you feel like a Champions League star even if it’s just a Sunday League game. The NikeSkin Technology provides the thinnest possible material for a superior touch and control so you’ll never slice or sky it again (in theory). Furthermore, the stitched-in sock – which is where the dynamic fit gets its name – both protects the ankle from twisting and provides extra support in passing and shooting.

Along with this, there’s a unique asymmetrical lacing system which allows for better, cleaning striking of the ball, something that could mean the difference between heartbreak and glory. You get a larger strike zone and don’t need to worry about wonky shots catching off the tip of a lace. The cleats themselves are designed to be most effective on the firm ground with short grass, but can also be used on slightly-wet fields for when you need that extra hint of traction as you chase down each and every ball. You will want to have these always handy in your soccer backpack.

Key Features:

NikeSkin technology

Flywire cables for enhanced lockdown

Forefoot blade and studs

Plastic plate

Specification:

BrandNIKE

ModelB07G4YNXL6

Weight2 pounds

4

Adidas Performance Copa Mundial Soccer Cleats

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And the ball’s back in Adidas’ possession (but this is the last time we’ll mention it, as it could go on for a while), the Performance Copa Mundial Soccer Shoe is a legendary pair of soccer cleats that have more than likely been worn by every soccer-mad kid at least once for the last 50 years, and if they haven’t worn it themselves, they instantly recognize it. Even looking at it brings back memories of cold Saturday mornings where the field was more mud than grass, and the paint of the goal frames was chipped away beyond belief.

But down to the actual shoe. It comes in a classic black design using full-grain that harks back to simpler, less soccer celebrity times and is complemented with a durable outsole that’s perfect for natural grounds. Along with this, the lightweight die-cut EVA insole provides whole-game comfort, so you’re sure to be a ninety-minute man. If you’re serious about your soccer and feel like all these flashy designs don’t matter in the slightest, then the quality and reliability of the Copa Mundial Soccer Shoe is a no-brainer. Be sure to also check out our list of the best football helmets for more great items like this.

Key Features:

Synthetic lining for comfort

Durable outsole for natural grounds

Lightweight die-cut EVA insole

Full-grain leather

Specification:

BrandAdidas

ModelCOPA MUNDIAL-M

Weight3 pounds

5

Adidas Nemeziz 17.3 FG Soccer Cleats

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Moving on from the classic and into the future, this Adidas Nemeziz 17.3 FG Soccer Shoe is a quality piece of construction, despite perhaps making some soccer shoe purists turn away and wonder where we went wrong. But we’ll ignore that for now and focus on what makes this boot so darn great. First, there’s the responsive touch that allows optimum control over the ball like never before, while you’ll also get explosive acceleration and direction change.

Unlike some kinds of soccer cleat, this is designed with every position in mind, even if the flash lends itself more to whipping wingers. Everybody from goalkeeper to striker can make the most of the design and transform their game as they may never have expected. Furthermore, the dual lock collar ensures stability and support, while the rubber sole provides comfort throughout the game, and means you’ll be as fast and effective in the dying minutes as you were the early stages.

If anything demonstrates the evolution of the soccer cleat, the clever, unruly and maybe a little arrogant Nemeziz 17.3 does it like no other. Our handy guide to the best Asics shoes features more great products like this.

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Key Features:

Responsive touch for optimum ball control

Explosive acceleration and direction change

Dual lock collar

Rubber sole

Specification:

BrandAdidas

ModelS80601

Weight1.5 pounds

6

Adidas Predator 18.4 Firm Ground Soccer Cleats

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Anyone who grew up playing soccer in the late 90s (post-Alan Shearer and his love of Umbros) and into the early 2000s will remember that – at one point – every kid in the playground wanted Adidas Predators, even if they’d never kicked a ball in their life. This is the culture that the Predator Soccer Cleat inspires and is still doing so now, over a decade later. Designed to tear up (not literally) firm ground, it’s also soft and has an adaptable synthetic upper, which actually makes it effective in more than just one environment.

This is further encouraged with the flexible ground outsole, which works perfectly with the rest of the cleat to provide support, traction, and results on all types of ground, including aforementioned firm ground and long blade synthetic fiber – although normal people will just call it fake grass. The embossed material might just look like it’s supposed to look cool, which it does, but there’s more to it than that. With it, you’ll get superior ball handling and control in even the tightest areas. Make no mistake about it, the Predator Soccer Cleats put you high on the food chain. Love sports footwear? Check out our review of the best Reebok shoes for our top picks.

Key Features:

Soft and adaptable synthetic upper

Anatomically designed heel

Flexible ground outsole

Improved ball handling

Specification:

BrandAdidas

ModelB0778M87PY

Weight2 pounds

7

NIKE Phantom 3 Club FG Soccer Cleats

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The NIKE Phantom 3 Club FG Soccer Cleats are an awesome pair of boots that, while being purposed primarily for firm ground, could still serve you well on all turf conditions. They are lightweight but also durable, and provide a consistent, comfortable fit that might drive you to pick up a second pair just in case. This fit is made possible with an integrated tongue, which is doubly beneficial as it won’t get in the way of the ball when pinging it across the field or clearing it under pressure.

Like many cleats, they work to support you, but it somehow feels like the Phantom does this more than others. Their synthetic upper conforms to your foot, which delivers incredible control over your movement and the ball, while the asymmetrical lacing system provides the greatest striking area possible – without abandoning laces altogether – making them a reliable partner when you’re bearing down on the keeper in the final few minutes.

They look good, they feel good, and they could make anyone appear to be just a little competent at soccer, which makes them a top possibility to us. Find more great products like this by checking out our guide to the best basketball sneakers.

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Key Features:

Synthetic upper conforms to your foot

Consistent, comfortable fit

Asymmetrical lacing system expands ball control

Lightweight and durable

Specification:

BrandNike

ModelAJ4145-090

8

Under Armor Force 3.0 FG Soccer Cleats

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Under Armour may not have the history within soccer as NIKE and Adidas do, but that doesn’t mean they don’t know how to make a decent soccer cleat. This Force 3.0 is the best example we’ve identified and it provides everything you’d need in a soccer cleat whether you’re a casual player or someone who lives, sleeps, eats, and breathes the beautiful game. Designed with a synthetic sole and die-cut conical studs, you’re guaranteed optimal traction in multiple directions anywhere on the field and, while they’re designated to be most effective on firm-ground, they’re still versatile enough for other conditions, too.

If support and stability is something you’re concerned with, then you’ve come to the right place. The Under Armor Force 3.0s provide all of this plus excellent ball control, while also giving you the comfort required to stay focused on the game and not whether or not your heels are being torn apart with this great in-shoe feel. They are reported to run slightly small, so be aware of that if you plan on buying these, and prepare to add a brand new dimension to your soccer game.

Key Features:

Synthetic sole

Support, stability and ball control

Great in-shoe feel

Conical studs for optimal traction

Specification:

BrandUnder Armor

ModelB073BYPDWV

Weight12 ounces

9

Adidas Freak X Carbon Mid Soccer Cleats

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A cool looking pair of soccer cleats the Adidas Freak X Carbon Mid Football Shoe provides comfort and a lightweight feel that ensures everyone from defenders to strikers can enjoy the benefits of lacing up this pair of boots. What makes them stand out is their high-top design, which is sure to provide support in a game that is becoming more and more fast-paced at every level.

They certainly offer a little something for everybody. For flashing wingers, you have the style, the strikers, they provide a strong and durable material to ensure every shot is crisp and clean. If you’re a midfielder, then you can rely on the comfort and make every pass count, while defenders will love the synthetic sole that helps provide traction when coming up against the fastest players in the game.

And, if you’re not a player yourself, but instead a parent and supporter, you’ll be happy to know that they’re easy to clean, too because your little soccer superstar needs to look the part week in and week out. Don’t forget to also check our guide to the best Etnies shoes.

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Key Features:

Comfortable interior

Lightweight material

Easy to clean

Excellent ankle support

Specification:

BrandAdidas

ModelB07BGB9FFL

Weight12 ounces

10

Adidas Nemeziz Messi 18.3 Firm Ground Soccer Cleats

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Our second Adidas Nemeziz pick is named after the GOAT himself (sorry, Ronaldo fanboys). This Nemeziz Messi 18.3 Firm Ground Soccer Shoe is available in a number of colors, which your opponents will only see a flash of as you whizz and weave past them and leave them completely reevaluating their lives. In addition to looking the part, you’ll need to actually act it, too though. Luckily you’ll also have excellent ankle support and stability with the secure lockdown feature, designed to protect the speediest players from the not-so-speedy – which inevitably ends up in a clattering of knees, ankles, and the odd yelp of pain.

After wearing these soccer cleats for just a few minutes (or at least, after they’ve been worn-in) you’ll recognize just why they’ve been named after Lionel Messi. The material provides both responsive touch and optimum ball control, making it feel like the ball is attached to your toe, while the lightweight design makes quick bursts and longer sprints feel like you’re running on air.

You might not be at the level of the Argentinian Magician just yet, you might never make it there at all, but with these, you’ll get as close as you can. make sure you also check our tennis shoes review for more great products like this.

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Key Features:

Secure lockdown and ankle stability

Responsive touch and optimum ball control

Lightweight design

Studs provide traction and increase agility

Specification:

BrandAdidas

ModelDB2113

Weight2 pounds

11

NIKE Hypervenom Phantom III Elite Dynamic Fit Soccer Cleats

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The NIKE Hypervenom Phantom III Elite Dynamic Fit Soccer Cleat is our undisputed selection for the premium pair of soccer cleats you can buy. It has a tongueless design, which is perfect for increasing your ball control – as well as looking a lot more modern than other cleats, while the ankle sock allows for support and stability in all areas of the field.

These features are even further enhanced through the breathable and stretchable fit, which help to offer comfort across the full ninety-minutes – and more, should the game end in a stalemate – while the HyperReactive plate on the sole is designed with hexagonal studs that provide unrivaled traction on the majority of surfaces. This also ensures quick reaction time during the unpredictability of intense, highly competitive games, meaning you’ll never lose your man, or be caught napping during a sudden, game-changing play.

Sure to improve performance, and likewise sure to improve enjoyment, it might seem like a large investment, particularly for younger players who are still growing, but can you truly put a price on soccer glory? We think not. Our guide to the New Balance shoes offers more sports footwear so check it out.

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Key Features:

Tongueless design

Breathable and stretchable fit

Support and stability

HyperReactive plate with hexagonal studs to increase agility

Specification:

BrandNIKE

ModelB07CP4BNDG

12

Adidas Performance X 17.4 FxG Soccer Cleats

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As we run down the clock into stoppage time, we present to you the Adidas Performance X 17.4 FxG Soccer Cleats. These little beauties are built specifically for explosive speed on a variety of different ground conditions, making them a pair of cleats to serve you perfectly all throughout the year. Whether you play most of your games of hard ground., artificial turf, or natural grass, you’ll blast past the opponent and have all eyes on you as you bear down on the keeper and shower yourself in glory.

Along with this, the boots have a lightweight and durable upper, which further adds to their year-round purpose, while they’re easily broken in, so you can avoid the typical travails of cleat pain for the first month or so. Furthermore, and perhaps most importantly in a soccer world obsessed with branding: they look good, really, really good. You can expect that after the holiday season, you’re going to see more of these boots than you ever have before, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

Key Features:

Lightweight and durable upper

Built for explosive speed

Ideal on hard ground, artificial, and natural grass

Easily broken in

Specification:

BrandAdidas

ModelBY2292

Weight3 pounds

Soccer Cleats Buying Guide & FAQs

Features To Look For When Buying Soccer Cleats

Way back when before soccer spread across the planet thanks to TV deals and rights, and you would see random children in far-flung villages in Thailand sporting a Liverpool jersey, a lot of soccer was all about booting it away whenever danger presented itself. Since then, the game has changed dramatically, and there is a huge focus on the construction of soccer cleats that set them apart from the boots of the past. Now, there is a science behind crafting them to achieve the most controlled, accurate, secure and stable cleats possible, and this is what you need to look for when buying your new cleats.

They won’t help you become a world beater overnight, but they will make the game just a little more enjoyable while you remember how to play.

Brand - The world of soccer is full of competing brands that manufacture and sell soccer cleats. When you’re trying to make your decision over which brand to buy, you’re best off going with one that has an existing reputation. Brands such as Adidas and NIKE have been around for years, so they know what they’re doing, but if you have your own preference, then you can always pick that, too.

Material - In the past, soccer cleats were made from leather, but leather is heavy, and now cleats are made from synthetic materials that provide similar waterproofness but are much lighter. When you’re playing a game that involves a lot of running, the last thing you want is for your feet to be weighted down.

Flexibility - Again, leather is not as flexible as other materials, which is why very few boots are made from leather now. Flexibility in soccer is essential due to the amount of twisting, turning, and bending your foot needs to do for ninety-minutes. If your cleats aren’t flexible enough then your game will suffer.

Outsole - This is the bottom of the shoe and is where the studs are attached to. Back in the day, studs were screwed into the boot, but now they are molded into the design to provide better grip and more comfort. You can find rubber studs (or blades), as well as some boots that still use metal, at least on the tips, but the type of outsole will depend on the type of surface you’re playing on.

Torsion - Coming from the Latin for ‘to twist’ torsion refers to how easy it is for you to, well, twist on the spot. In soccer at all levels, you need to be on your toes, ready to turn at any moment, and so you’ll need cleats that do not catch in the turf or grass but instead allow you enough range of moment to turn on a dime. Otherwise, you'll be left in the dust as your opponents wind through the whole team and mock you with the classic and infuriating cupped ear that we all know and despise.

Shock Absorption - As you run, jog, or sprint across the ground, you need shock absorption to reduce the strain on the balls of your feet and your heels. This is true in whatever surface you play on but is doubly (maybe even triply) important on hard ground. The whole game of soccer is played with the feet, and if your feet are hurt or injured due to the hard ground, then you’re unlikely to be a very effective player.

Control and Accuracy - Having excellent control and accuracy with the ball, even those who were in, the past, expected to just boot it to safety, such as center backs and goalkeepers is now crucial across the field. Players of all positions are expected to be able to control the ball when receiving a pass and reach the feet of their teammate every time. If your soccer cleats don’t provide a little bit of assistance in this department, you could be resigned to the bench.

Soccer Cleats FAQs

Q: What are Soccer Cleats?

A: Soccer cleats are special types of shoe that are worn by soccer players. In both professional and amateur games, you are not permitted to play without soccer cleats, as they are worn as part of the overall ‘uniform’ of soccer, as well as providing safety for you and the other players due to their enhanced traction, stability, and control on the field.

Q: What does FG, AG and SG related to?

A: FG - Firm Ground - This refers to natural grass where the soil is hard and doesn’t suffer a lot of - if any - rain. It’s where the majority of soccer games are still played and what most boots are designed for. Typically, they’ll have what is known as bladed cleats or conical cleats which help with gripping against the surface and provide you the best traction when needing to make explosive bursts of speed when required. This reduces the risk of injury and makes soccer more successful for you.

AG - Artificial Ground - To the disdain of many commentators across the world, artificial pitches are becoming more and more common in the professional and amateur game, and so manufacturers had to make changes accordingly. These cleats will give you the best traction on fake grass or turf, but should not be used anywhere else as they aren’t designed for ‘proper’ grass and so could result in your twisting your ankle, slipping over, and injuring you or somebody else.

SG - Soft Ground - Soft Ground cleats are designed to slip into the surface for traction and should be used on the wet or damp ground. They share a large resemblance to general cleats of the past and will often have replaceable studs, but this is not a universal design and as manufacturers develop more advanced models, they are discovering new ways to make soft ground playing as safe and comfortable as it can be, without getting bogged down in the mud.

Q: What Is The Best Material For Soccer Cleats?

A: Once upon a time, the best material was leather as it was waterproof and durable enough to withstand the battering that soccer games of the past involved. Now though, manufacturers have (mostly) moved on from leather, except in some cases where the would be complete uproar among purists if they abandoned it altogether, such as the Copa Mundial.

Instead, soccer cleats are made with synthetic leather, which still provides the same amount of protection from the elements as leather, but is more lightweight, flexible and comfortable. Some cheaper cleats are made with a type of plastic, which while still effective, isn’t as comfortable and could fall apart quicker.

Q: How Long Do Soccer Cleats Last?

A: The lifespan of your soccer cleats will depend on how well you take care of them as well as the quality of the brand, materials, and design. If you are playing a few times a week, you can expect them to last you for one season, and perhaps two at the very most, although you might want to change your cleats when the new season rolls around.

For those of you who don’t play as often, your soccer cleat will last longer. Also, if you are or have a kid that’s still growing, you might discover that soccer cleats won’t last a season as they don’t fit anymore. This is why it’s advised not to spend hundreds of dollars during the teenage growing phase, and wait until they’re fully grown to splash out.

Q: Do I Have To Wear Socks With Soccer Cleats?

A: Of course, you do. For one, you wouldn’t be allowed to play without socks, and without socks, you run the risk of suffering an ankle injury due to the lack of support. There are some soccer cleats, such as those with Dynamic Fit that have a built-in sock, but this is merely to offer further support. We do not recommend playing soccer without any socks at all, besides, your shin guards would be exposed, which would make you look ridiculous.